One Political Turn Deserves Another

U.S. Rep. John Sweeney’s campaign is slamming his main Democratic challenger, Kirsten Gillibrand, for “politicizing” the potential strike of unionized healthcare workers at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson.

Sweeney campaign spokeswoman Maureen O’Brien Donovan brought to our attention a Register-Star story Saturday on three Hudson aldermen (two Democrats and a Republican) who wrote to Gillibrand, calling on her to remove herself from the debate between the hospital and its employees and accusing her of handing out pro-union political literature.

“We would like to remind you that a generalized work strike at this important institution could very well cripple our community,” the aldermen wrote.

“Being a candidate for elected office does not give you the right to inject yourself into these complex labor negotiations and by heightening fears and anxieties among either side you are only prolonging this unfortunate situation and endangering the livelihoods of thousands.”Â

The union representing the 620 workers – who range from nurses, pharmacists andÂ medical technicans to housekeeping and dietary workers and have been without a contract since Dec. 31 – just so happens to be SEIU/Local 1199, whichÂ has endorsed Gillibrand.Â Gillibrand campaign spokesman Bill Hyers confirmed she spoke at an SEIU/1199 rally in Hudson Saturday, which was attended by union head Dennis Rivera (a rare public appearance) as well asÂ LG candidate/Senate MinorityÂ Leader David Paterson, D-Harlem.

But Hyers insisted the flyersÂ were not the campaign’s handiwork.

“I don’t object to most of what’s said in there, but it didn’t come from my campaign,” Hyers said. “IÂ never approved it, and I don’t know where it came from.”Â Â

Hyers said Gillibrand recognizes the importance of the hospital and doesn’t want to jeopardize it. He noted Gillibrand’s two-year-old son, Theo, suffers from asthma and has been rushed to Columbia Memorial’s emergency room on several occasions.

Hyers said Gillibrand is trying to “show leadership on an important issue,” and is calling on the hospital and the union, who are feuding over health insurance and pay, to negotiate. He said Sweeney should do the same.

Donovan said Sweeney has, in fact, done so. She released several letters (here’s one)Â that the congressman privately sent to the union and the hospital, urging them to come back to the table.

“The Congressman would never think of politicizing an issue of this importance in order to garner press coverage and self promotion,” Donovan said. “The Congressman fully understands that any third party, particularly one seeking a congressional seat, entering the negotiations would only prolong the issue.